So Thankful...

This is the first of a blog post "series". Our life has been so busy since Larkin came along and the holiday season proved to keep that pace. We had several Christmas parties and had a great time celebrating Christmas and the birth of our Savior with our families. But, before we get to Christmas, I wanted to post about our wonderful Thanksgiving!

This year, we kept with our tradition of meeting all of my family....aunts, uncles, and cousins....for a very fun Thanksgiving holiday. The tradition began years ago when my grandparents lived in Tennessee and the whole family would come up to their house for Thanksgiving. Through the years we modified the tradition, following both of their deaths. We have met in various places in the past, but this year we went to my Aunt and Uncle's house in North Carolina and all of the different families rented houses close by. Larkin was definitely a hit as no one in my family had met him yet. He loved the attention and looks forward to seeing everyone again next year (especially his new cousin who will be here in March!).

We had such a fun time and I definitely treasure the time I get with my sweet cousins!

Larkin bundled, but not too sure about it.

Addison (who had been the youngest in the family) meeting Larkin.

They both seem a little hesitant.

Most of the cousins and cousins-in-law. Several couldn't make it this year and

some had already left for the night.

Girl cousins...getting creative with our photography.

Bama fans watching the AL/AU game...still smiling. :)

The world of technology...

This sign used to be at Nannie and Pop-pop's in Bakerville.

Joe with Uncle Matt and Dad (Papa), hanging out on the porch like the good ole days.

The whole family...well those that could make it this year.

Papa, Gran, and Uncle Kelley with us in front of the cabin.

Sweet boy...as you can see, we were not using red eye reduction. :)

Larkin with Rebecca who is due in March! Larkin can't wait to have a little boy cousin.

The three stair steps (in age and height) in an antique store...we actually got in trouble for taking this picture.

New posts coming soon!!

Denson Family Photos

We recently had some pictures taken by a sweet friend from college, Ann Wade Parrish. Ann Wade took our wedding pictures 4.5 years ago and we were so excited to work with her again! She did an incredible job capturing Larkin's many faces. He actually cooperated really well so we were very pleased with how all of the pictures turned out. If you ever need a photographer for a wedding, baby, or just because I would definitely recommend Ann Wade Parrish Photography (once you're on her website, go to the Blog to see some of her family photo shoots).

Here are just a few pictures from our very fun photo shoot. Enjoy!

Larkin Lately

Well I hope you all don't think my blogging skills are reflective of my parenting skills. I have not found the time to sit down and update on our little guy. I know one day I will regret that as Larkin's baby book is about as detailed as this blog. :) I guess I can say that I am capturing the memories for myself as I spend much of my time with this precious little boy.

Larkin is SO much fun these days! He has really developed a funny little personality and he cracks us up constantly. He's started "talking" when he feels no one is paying attention to him. So, we just talk back to him. I'm sure we look crazy carrying on a conversation with a blabbing 3 month old! Larkin also has a smile that will make your heart melt...even if it's 3:00 am! There have been many nights where I just laugh out loud because I'm up against my will, but my perspective quickly changes when he shoots me a smile from his crib.

Larkin has been called the "S" word (spoiled) by his grandparents. I have to say...I'm guilty! I love cuddling with my little guy and he is such a cuddler!! Needless to say, there are days when not much gets done around here because Larkin is sleeping on my chest and I am taking it all in (and usually watching Grey's Anatomy re-runs). Every moment with him is such a blessing and Joe and I thank God continuously for allowing us to be parents and to such a sweet baby boy.

Below are some quick update pictures from 2 months and 3 months. We go for his 4 month check up next week. At his 3 month appointment he weighed 11lb 9oz (20%) and was 24.5in long (95%). So far he is long and lean! And if you notice the progression of pictures, his mohawk hair has begun to lay down. :) Enjoy!

Nursery Pictures...FINALLY

Well, it's about time. Larkin is now 2 months old (which a post on that should be coming soon) and I am just now posting pictures of his nursery. I love how everything came together. Chris Daigle helped me make the curtains, so I felt very thrifty and was so thankful for her help. The bedding is from Once Upon a Time and the bed is from Storkland. I would recommend both stores for anyone preparing for baby because they both were great to work with and have amazing selections of all things "baby". The rocking chair was given to us by Joe's grandmother, Sara. She even painted it white to match the room.

Renovating Larkin's room was a fun project and gave Joe and I a new appreciation for our house (which we tried selling). We turned the "hodge-podge room" into the nursery. This was the room that had no TLC for the 4 years we've lived here so it was nice to give it a makeover. Hope you enjoy!

Larkin's First Month

Larkin is a little over a month old now (actually 6 weeks today). He is changing every day and starting to develop a cute little personality. He is definitely keeping us on our toes, but we are loving every minute. Most nights he sleeps about 4 hours at a time. He has had a few nights of wanting to party hard and doesn't seem to want to sleep at all! I literally played with him on his play mat one night last week at 2:30 AM. I'm sure parenting books would not approve but when those big blue eyes were looking up at me, practically asking me to play, I had to give in. :)

Larkin has a had several "firsts" over this last month and we wanted to share a few of them:

- First time to go to church. He LOVED the music, but started crying when preaching started. :)

- First bath (in the bathtub)

- First trip to the mall (followed quickly by his second, third, and fourth trips)

- First walk around Homewood

- First trip to Edgewood Creamery (in the Denson house this is an important one)

- First trip to Daddy's office

It really has been a fun, yet sometimes challenging, month. We look forward to many more and are thankful for these first memorable moments of our little man's life. We also wanted to share a few pictures to recap his first month. We also hope to load a video soon, but we're having some technical difficulties. Enjoy!!!

Precious baby sleeping. And he LOVES his paci.

Going on an outing. And seeming to be waving at us. :)

Larkin's response to my photo shoot. He hung in there for a while, but eventually let me know he was finished participating.

First bath!

This is what we see every time we change his diaper. The kid loves to be stretched out and kicking around.

Hanging out in the Boppy waiting on mommy to get ready.

Larkin loves to be held up on our chest or shoulder...such a sweet boy!

Just getting home from his first time at church.

Welcome Home, Larkin

Well, I'm a little behind with this update. Larkin has been home for 2 weeks! It has been a great 2 weeks having our little man with us. Joe and I agree that we'd rather have sleepless nights with him here over a quiet house without him, so while we were able to get some sleep the week he was in the NICU we are thrilled to have him home.

Our first two nights were quite an adjustment as Larkin didn't know night from day as the NICU was constant 24 hours a day. He heard the beeping of machines, nurses chatting about life, and babies crying all day and night. He now seems to be getting on a better schedule of sleeping during the night and only wakes up when he's hungry which is every 2-4 hours.

We had a welcome home party with our family. Many of them had not gotten to meet Larkin since he left for the NICU shortly after birth. It was so sweet to see everyone oooh and aaah over him and I hope he can tell how much he's loved! We continue to thank God for taking care of Larkin and healing his little body! He truly is a blessing.